Printed Shirts: Ways To Wear Them

Introduction

Prints, prints, prints; it’s all any of us have been hearing this season. We’ve seen a huge influx of motifs – some new, some daring and some carrying through from the last go-around.

We’ve spotted the rise of animal and camouflage prints, sitting nicely alongside paisley and floral. It’s refreshing to see, as utilising colour and patterns in the summer season is always well received. Wearing dull, boring colours when the sun is shining isn’t only going to affect your style; it’s also going to affect the mood of those around you and people’s perception of you as an individual.

The problem with bright, bold prints is that most gents cower away from them. The typical guy carries with him an innate fear of stepping out of his comfort zone. He often looks upon statement prints with trepidation. Today on FashionBeans, we’re going to be looking at ways to pull off prints up top this season, either as a statement or subtly. Either way, we’re doing it with gusto.

Key Prints For SS12

Here are the key prints you should consider integrating into your spring/summer wardrobe this year:

Floral: A strong carry-on from last season (albeit with a few twists), the floral print is great for summer. This transient print is probably one of the most popular; the variation available on the market today is vast so there’s something for every individual taste. With a variety of tones, designs and patterns, floral has been heavily featured on catwalks and in brand lookbooks ahead of what is shaping up to be a very exciting season.

Camouflage: Alex Woodhall gave his personal break down of the military print a few weeks ago; he tips it as an integral part of the spring/summer wardrobe. No longer the reserve of the winter military trend, camouflage prints are being carried through to hotter climes this season. It’s a typically masculine print that, if worn incorrectly, can leave you looking like a badly dressed action man. Focus on pairing camouflage with neutrals, in order to neutralise the print.

Animal: A print that is working hard to shake its gimmicky perception, animal patterns have been featured throughout various collections and brand lookbooks already. In particular, Leopard looks set to be a strong variant this season, with Topman launching a collection based on leopard print, along with Louboutin’s menswear collection focusing heavily on the look.

Other popular prints worthy of a hanger or two are Aztec and paisley prints. In my honest opinion, whatever style of print you want to implement into your look this season is based on your personal choice. The key is to not worry too much on what print you opt to go for, but to spend time working out how you’re going to wear it.

Statement vs. Subtly

Believe it or not, prints are versatile. It’s all about getting past the idea that prints will only make you stand out – and the possibility of looking like your father sporting a Hawaiian fancy dress outfit.

If worn correctly, printed shirts can create a real style statement and become the focal point of your outfit. At the same time, you can also wear printed shirts subtly, layering garments over the shirt to neutralise the attention.

Wearing As A Statement

If you’re willing to wear your prints as a statement, you need to concentrate fully on fit and what you wear them with. You want to make the shirt the focal point of your look, and there are a variety of ways to achieve this.

Depending on the shirt, use an opposite tone when it comes to your trousers or shorts. You want to create a contrast between the two; so lighter tone trousers/shorts will work nicely with a darker printed shirt, and vice versa. This ensures the printed shirt draws attention naturally, without standing out too much.

Print on print is kind of like denim on denim; it can be achieved, but it’s a hard look to pull off. The latest SS12 Louis Vuitton and Jonathan Saunders collections advocated doubling up, and both had different takes on the trend. Jonathan Saunders used lighter tones, often varying the prints used. Louis Vuitton put bolder prints to work, and also matched the prints closely.

If you plan to take up the challenge, mix up the style of print and concentrate on contrasting from top to bottom. Here are a few photos of prints being worn as a statement:

Wearing Subtly

Using printed shirts to add a subtle touch of colour and pattern is often looked upon as the most favoured option. A print can be layered underneath a cardigan, blazer or jumper to neutralise the bright pattern of the shirt.

We’ve touched on using darker tones as a counterweight to bright colours before; the same principle applies with prints.

You’re probably thinking: “Why buy a printed shirt if you’re going to hide it?” Well, we’re going to be using the printed shirt to compliment the clothing layered over the top, such as the blazer or cardigan. Again, contrasting tones help to bring attention to your shirt but, at the same time, won’t create too much of a statement.

Here are a few photos of prints being worn subtly:

Comparisons

We hit the studio and put together some looks that show how to wear the printed shirt both ways. Here’s a run down of each look:

Look 1:

This floral shirt, worn as a statement, is going to turn heads. Pairing it with light colours down low will compliment the shirt rather than contrast directly against it.

We layered a black blazer over the floral shirt to neutralise the bright pattern, wearing the shirt in a subtle way. The dark tone still makes the floral print stand out, but not as much as when it’s worn alone.

Look 2:

Worn alone, this print isn’t as daring as the others. Therefore, we integrated brightly coloured shorts into the outfit, forcing the shirt stand out more.

We decided to casual this look up by leaving the belt at home and utilising some casual footwear. We could have made this outfit more elegant by using loafers or brogues, and accessorising with a leather belt. The grey blazer neutralises the shirt slightly, but due to the lighter tone of the blazer, it still makes the shirt stand out.

Look 3:

This shirt is my personal favourite; it can easily be worn as a statement and the focus point of a look. When worn with a pair of stone chinos, the lighter tone of trouser pushes attention towards the shirt.

The dark belt contrasts against the trousers, creating separation. With this look, we’ve tried to show another way of wearing printed shirts in a subtle way, by implementing a lightweight, neutral scarf. Wearing it loosely over the shoulders adds more of a relaxed feel, and breaks up the pattern of the shirt.

A cardigan can also be used to soften the shirt, whilst simultaneously allowing it to stay as the focal point of the look.

The final variation of this outfit sees us smartening up the whole look – pairing the shirt with a cotton blazer, chinos and brogues.

Printed Shirt Picks

Here are some of our favourite printed shirts on the market today:

Dr Denim Roland Floral Shirt

Asos Printed Chambray Shirt

Topman Stone Shield Pattern Short Sleeve Shirt

Woolrich Mens Ikat Military Shirt

Allsaints Rockpile Shirt

Topman Green Floral Cotton Shirt

Topman Green Swallow Pattern Short Sleeve Shirt

Burton White Short Sleeve Aztec Shirt

Asos Bandana Print Shirt

Topman Red Ikat Patterned Short Sleeve Shirt

Prps P58s08s3 Khaki Shirt

Casual Shirt With Kent Collar Ezzer By Boss Orange

D&g Pink Bandana Print Slim Brad Shirt

Burberry Prorsum Ikat Digital-print Shirt 56849

Hartford Overdyed Flower Print Shirt

Conclusion

Prints are an extremely popular trend this season and you should definitely be looking at ways to utilise them in your current (ever expanding) wardrobe. Staring at that brightly printed shirt may be daunting at first, but there’s a variety of ways you can wear it this season.

So, what do you think:

Are you afraid of prints?

Which do you see as the most versatile?

What are your thoughts on carrying prints through to winter?

Would you wear your prints as a statement or in a subtle way?

Let us know in the comments below…

Paul

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There Are 19 Comments

Jordan Posted On 28th March 2012:

Great article as per usual.

Like everyone else when I first saw the printed shirts my immediate reaction was ‘Forty-year old Dad.’ However, upon closer inspection and through opening my mind I realised they were perfect for the summer. As mentioned, it’s a surefire way of incorporating bright colours into your outfits, be that subtly or as the focal piece.

Just a question however, where as the three printed shirts from which are being modelled in the studio?

Ben Herbert - FashionBeans Editor-In-Chief Posted On 28th March 2012:

Paul will be able to help you locate those shirts, as he did the shoot at the Brighterman.com studios. I will let him know you asked.

Benji Posted On 28th March 2012:

Yes, I was thinking the same thing about the garments being worn by the models in the studio. Would love to know where can I find the blue floral print short sleeved shirt from the third look. Thanks.

Gertjan Posted On 28th March 2012:

Nice job!

I love how all of these looks have the classical 50’s and 60’s syle, very sophisticated. But i have a question. Those shoes, worn by the model in look 1 and 3, can you tell me from wich label or store they are. Thank you.

Ed Posted On 28th March 2012:

I personally really like this trend. I’ve seen a hell of a lot of terrible print/patterned pieces this season which i can’t imagine looking good no matter who wears them or how, but there are some really cool bits too. I’d definitely confine it to shirts/tees/accessories though or maybe shorts, wearing one statement piece with an otherwise neutral outfit.

Tom Posted On 28th March 2012:

I hate this trend – it’s just the labels trying to shift new stuff because everyone’s cupboards are stuffed full of better clothes.

Just wait until you see a old fat hairy man wearing a Hawaiian and you will think twice.

It’s all a terrible sham.

Perry Posted On 28th March 2012:

I recently bought a floral shirt from Topman (not displayed above, it sold out online really quickly) and I was hesitant about wearing it out at first. But then on a warm day this month I put it on under a cardigan and I think it looked great. I understand the sceptics but I think that some prints can look great!

Josh Posted On 30th March 2012:

where can i buy the yellow floral shirt in ‘look 1’?

Ben Posted On 31st March 2012:

Could you please tell me the brands and/or where I can get the whole of look 2?!

Luke Posted On 31st March 2012:

Hey great article, just wanted to know if you know where the bottom right shirt, worn by the guy sitting down wearing chinos is from in the ‘wearing as a statement’ section?

Luke Posted On 31st March 2012:

I will add * I have to know where this shirt is from!

Mike Posted On 1st April 2012:

Great article! I was wondering if you have any recommendations for animal print shirts, I haven’t been able to find one that I like.

Tristan Posted On 1st April 2012:

Wow very interesting article, I like the detail Between wearing subtly and for wearing as a statement very nicely explained. I have just purchased the topman Green swallow pattern shirt, I just hope not everyone will be wearing it when I am! With reference to the wearing as a statement section I would also very much like to know, if possible, where the shirt worn by the guy sitting on the rail wearing chinos is from? I belive its the same one Luke is wanting, its a very nice shirt!

The trousers we’re last season H&M and the blazer was also last season Topman. You can find similar pieces at most retailers.

Look 2: The shirt was last season Topman cant seem to find it online. The shorts and blazer are from the SS12 collection of Remus Uomo – http://www.remusuomo.com/ and the shoes are from an up and coming brand called Mocks (stocking in Office soon)

For those who enjoy a style challenge, you can hit up vintage stores and sift through the masses of ‘old man prints’ in the hopes of finding one that is ‘modern’ enough to be worn wear today. The prices may also be lower compared to the high street and designer wear.

Laurence Posted On 2nd April 2012:

Awesome article. Im from the US and over here everyone seems to be cloning eachothers styles, same american apparel and pacsun sweatshirts etc..! I buy a lot of my clothes from english stores now and have been scrolling through this website and have found it really useful. When i saw this article and saw some of these shirts i thought i have to own some of these!

I think a few people on here have been after information regarding the light blue hawaiin print shirt worn by the guy sitting on the rail within the first section ‘wearing as a statement’ if possible i would really like to know where the photo is from or, if known, where the shirt is actually from. Because i would love one of those to be in my wardrobe right now looks great!

Any help on this would be much apreciated. Good job on the article as well!

Phil Posted On 11th April 2012:

Laurence – the shirt you are talking about is actually Primark! I know cos I have it! A snip at half the price of all the others! ;-)

Laurence Posted On 15th April 2012:

Wow thanks! what an awesome shirt for them to produce i will be getting one of these for sure

Johny-b Posted On 24th April 2012:

I hate all of them featured. Yes you can get some good printed shirts, but i don’t see any there. Of course once again it’s just a re-hash of 50’s and 60’s stuff, but not as good. Some of these guys look like they are wearing their great grandads clothes but of course they wouldn’t know and most of them see this stuff as ‘new’ ideas. Shame.. The primark shirt looks like ‘new old stock’ from some disused 50’s warehouse !!! Oh and maybe those men that don’t wear printed shirts are the type of people that don’t want to stand out in that way. There are a million ways to stand out with clothing and if you wear print you need a strong personality or character. As in the 60’s it’s possible that people who judge others by their appearance may judge that you have a leaning in a certain direction. I will say no more on that as it will be deemed as not PC.

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